AAA Tips Help Keep Pets Safe On Summer Vacation

Orlando, Fla. - 5/6/2003

Seventy percent of Americans have indicated they would plan a summer vacation this year and 14 percent of those will take their pets with them, according to AAA and travel research.  

Reflecting this pet travel trend is the growing number of lodgings that allow pets to stay in guest rooms, increasing nearly 4 percent per year, and the number and type of amenities that hotels are providing for pets - everything from daily walks to pillows and special menus.

AAA's fifth edition of "Traveling With Your Pet - The AAA PetBookŪ" offers timely and important advice to help keep all travelers safe - even the furry kind. These tips can help make any driving trip more enjoyable for pets as well as their owners.

• Train your pet to travel in the car. Go for several short rides and include a treat at the end of the trip such as time at the dog park or a special snack.
• Make sure the animal is secure in the back seat with either a traveling crate or a harness that attaches to the seat belt. This keeps the animal from interfering with or distracting the driver and can be a lifesaver for the pet in the event of a crash.
• To help avoid motion sickness, feed your pet a light meal four to six hours before departing.
• Do not allow pets to stick their heads out the window no matter how enjoyable it seems. Road debris and other flying objects can be dangerous, and the animal is at greater risk for severe injury if the vehicle stops suddenly or crashes.
• Visit a rest stop every four hours or so to let pets have a drink of water and stretch their legs. AAA recommends that drivers stop every two hours to take a quick break.
• Be sure your pet is leashed before opening the car door. More than just a courtesy, this prevents pets from unexpectedly breaking free and running away or into traffic.
• Never leave animals in a parked car, even if the windows are down. Even on pleasant days the temperature inside can soar to 100 degrees in less than 10 minutes, placing your pet at risk for heatstroke. On cold days hypothermia is a risk.

"Traveling With Your Pet - The AAA Pet Book" has been a best-seller for AAA since its inception in 1998, and it continues to grow in size and popularity. The book can be purchased at AAA club offices, on www.aaa.com and at retail bookstores for $15.95 US/ $24.95 CDN.

As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides nearly 46 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers.

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